Retrieving arrangement for well drilling operations



y 8, 1 3 E. STEWART EIAL 2,647,008

RETRIEVING ARRANGEMENT FOR WELL DRILLING OPERATIONS Filed Aug. 10, 1950 .4 504 .420 E. STEWART MAR V/A/ J. no INVE 0R8.

W fP/VEKS Patented July 28, 1953 RETRIEVING ARRANGEMENT FOR WELL DRILLING OPERATIONS Leonard E. Stewart, Midland, and Marvin J.

Winters, Odessa, Tex., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Tri-State Oil Tool Company, Inc., Shreveport, La., a corporation of Louisiana Application August 10, 1950, Serial No. 178,638

This invention relates to well drilling equipment and more particularly to retrieving arrangements for use in retrieving sections of drill pipe, cmmonly called fish, below a point of separation or a break occurring in a drill pipe.

During drilling operations with drill pipe in oil well drilling, separation of pipe, either at joints or as the result of breaks which may occur deep in the hole, require fishing operations to retrieve the fish. While tools of various kinds for such fishing operations have heretofore been developed and used, complex problems involved in retrieving operations especially where complications of sticking and plugging of the fishes results, have not heretofore, as far as we are aware, been solved to the full satisfaction of drillers.

Principal features and objects of this invention are to provide a fish-retrieving arrangement that is simple in mechanical construction, economical to produce and very effective in use.

In drilling operations, the most effective arrangement for clearing the hole of debris or drillings and for preventing sticking or plugging of the drill pipe is the provision for continuous motion of the drill pipe and drill bit as well as for the free circulation of wash fluid during drilling. When the drill pipe becomes plugged, circulation of wash fiuid is prevented, if as usual, its normal path is down through the drill pipe to the outlet at the drill bit and then up through the well or hole outside of the drill pipe. Fishing operations require the drill pipe above the point of break or separation with a retrieving tool attached to be lowered into the hole for coupling to the fish. Once a coupling is effected, if the fish is plugged no wash water can circulate and there is danger that the retrieving tool and drill pipe above the point of separation or break will also become stuck in the hole unless some provision is made whereby wash water or fluid can circulate even after coupling is effected and whereby the drill pipe above the retrieving tool can be kept in rotary as well as reciprocatory motion to prevent sticking.

Further objects and features of this invention, therefore, are to provide a retrieving arrangement permitting circulation of wash water notwithstanding the existence of a plugged fish and permitting rotary and reciprocatory motion of the drill pipe above the retrieving arrangement.

Further objects and features of the invention are to provide a retrieving arrangement including means for attachment of a wash-over pipe for washing out caved-in material in the hole.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following 11 Claims. (01. 294-86) specification and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a well drilling, illustrating anarrangement embodying the invention; a

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the improved retrieving arrangement; and

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are transvere sections taken respectively along lines 33, 4-3 and 55 of Fig. 2, each being viewed in the direction of the arrows. Referring to the drawing, [0 denotes a well hole that is being drilled by a drill bit (not shown) which is carried by a drill collar secured to a lowermost section of a drill pipe II. The drill pipe ii is rotated in conventional manner during drilling operations in the hole Hi.

Frequentlyduring drilling operations the drill pipe will separate somewhere in the hole either by twisting off or otherwise. It is necessary then to retrieve the fish, i. e., the lower broken-0 1T section of the drill pipe and the drill bit by fishing operations. These fishing operations frequently become complicated by plugging of the drill pipe below the point of separation, by caveins around the stuck pipe or by washing out of the hole around the point of separation to a size many times larger than the normal hole size. The retrieving arrangement constituting the subject matter of this invention is designed to be useful in overcoming complications such as those described and to provide an effective fishing tool.

In the drawing, I2 denotes generally a retrieving arrangement embodying the invention. This arrangement comprises a wash-over sub I3 which is tubular and threaded at M for attachment to the complementary threaded part on the lowermost complete section of the drill pipe or rod string sections withdrawn from the hole after a separation or break occurs in the drill pipe. The sub [3 is externally threaded at [5 and threadedly receives a tube or shell [6. The opening or bore ll at the lower end of the shell I6 has a smaller diameter than the internal diameter of theshell and has an enlarged valve cavity or recess [8 at the outer end of the opening or bore I! for purposes presently to be described. The rim of the lower end of shell it about the recess 18 is serrated to define a set of ratchet teeth [9 which, in the embodiment shown, are intended to eilect a right hand or clockwise drive. An external thread 28 is provided on the shell it.

A second shell 2| of the same outside diameter as shell I6 is screwed onto the thread 20 on shell l6 and fixed in place by set screws 2la. This shell 2! is internally threaded at 22, and a tubular plug 23 has one of its threaded ends 24 screwed into the thread 22 and fixed in place by set screws 25. The inner end of plug 23 has a valve cavity 26 of larger size that its bore 23a and the edge; of the wall defining the cavity 26 is serrated to define a set of ratchet teeth 21 which, in the embodiment shown, are intended to effect a left or counterclockwise drive. This set of ratchet teeth 21 is oppositely acting to the set I!) and spaced apart therefrom.

A tubular rod 23 is guided slidably in the bore I? of shell [6 and the bore 23abf plug 23-. Lon

gitudinal grooves 28 are provided in the portion Similar longitudinal grop'ves- 39 28a of rod 28. are provided in the portion 28b of rod '28. The rod 28 has enlarged diameter at ;2 8c int ermediate the portions 28a and 28b to fit slidably 'in the shell 2|, and this portion 280 is cutaway in its periphery to define oppositely extending oppositely acting sets of ratchet teeth 61 and 32 which respectively are complementary to the respective sets of ratchet teeth l9 and 21. The oiiter surface of enlarged portions 28c has longitudinal grooves 33 constituting fluid flow pas sag-aways for purposes presently to be described. The grooves .29 in portion 28a do not extend the run length thereof, providing the smooth 'surface'dy'alve portion 28d which is admeasured in one position of rod '28 to fit the recess I8 and act as a flow cut-off valve. Similarly, the grooves 3!! do not extend the full length of rod portion 2% providing the smooth-surfaced valve portion 28a which in one position of rod 28 fits the recess 2% and acts as a flow cut-off valve as y will be described.

v A tubular -retri'evi n'g tool member or means 35 is attached at the lower end of rod '28 being in the embodiment shown, with an externally threaded-nipple '36 to engage the thread a on the upper drill pipe section of fish portion F that it is desired to retrieve. The two shells l'6 and TI at at foiassembly purposes. an effect, these two siis'iis define a tiibhlar rn'ean's attached 'to the 's'ub #3 divided into two compartments separated by tlie wall containing the bore 11-. The tubular rod 2 8- rhbkiahle ciprocally in this tubular means is, 21-, its 1 positions being the reare made separable spetitiv'ely spaced-apart sets of ratchet-teeth 1-9 and 21.

operation Assuming that the drill pipe I I :has parted in the well and :that the fish part F of the diill pipe isstuclvby a cave-in C -around its upper end as well, as plugged so that wash fi-uid will not circulate through it. To retrieve the fish F, the rod string and drill pipe 1! above the point of separation are lifted out of the hole 10. The retrieving arrangement 12 is attached to the lower end-of the IO'WBIIHOSllfllll section of the removed drill pipe sections H by screwing the sub [3 onto it. The attached arrangement and drill pipes are thenagainlowered into the hole while wash fiuidis sent down through the rod string and drill pipes above the arrangement f2,th'e"s'e also being rotated during lowering. The wash iiuid cansow 'downwai'dlyftlirbugh'thedrillpipe, through the component tubular 'parts "of 'the arrange'inent 'l2 'a'ndoiitwaidly of the 'lowere'nd of retrieving member 35 circulating around the in- 's'ide'of "wss'hwve'r meets and its lowermostedge 4 81: anaeativiipwa-ruw to the top of the hole. when the edge W611. reaches the ba ve'in C in the hole, continues lowering of the rod string and drill pipes causes the cave-in C to be washed out by the wash fluid, the material washed out fiowing upwardly toward the mouth of the hole :gound the outer surface of the wash-over pipe As lowering'continues, the nipple 36 finally rests on the upper edge of the fish F. Since, as assumed, the fish F is plugged or clogged, the wash fluid cannot flow down through it, but can still flow to the wash-over pipe 46 by passage th'roughithe grooves 29, 33 and 30 so that washmg out o: the cave-in C continues and the washover pipe 46 moves deeper into the hole. During this time; the tubular rod 28 slides upwardly relative to plug 23 and shell [6 until the ratchet teeth 3! are engaged by ratchet teeth 19. When this occurs, the rotation of sub [3 and shell 16 with the drill pipe above sub [3 is transmitted via teeth 19 and 3! to rod 28 and its tool end 35 so that the threaded nipple 35 screws into the upper end of fish F to provide a coupling to the fish so that it can be pulled out of the hole. If the fish Fi-s stuck too tightly to be pulled out, raising of sub l3 will disengage ratchet teeth is and 3| and cause downward movement; of rod 28 until teeth 32 engage teeth 21 whereupon rotation in opposite directions of sub 13 and the drill pipe above it will cause the nipple 36 to be unscrewed trom the fish F. At points intermediate the respective engagements of teeth 49 and 31 or (is and 2?, the arrangement 12 may be rotated even though fish F is stuck. This is imapor ta'nt to prevent stickirm of the arrangement 1-2 in the hole as a result of cave-insabove the fish during retrieving operations.

Also, because of the space between sets or ratchet teeth 19 and 21, the tool and drillpigpe above the fish can be reciprocated vertically as well as rota-ted even though nipple 36 is coupled to the fish, while preparations for lowering stating shot or other fish-loosening operations are being made.

Often a drilled hole becomes worked-out in many times its size around the point of separati'on. In such eventthe top =of the fish Fhecomes longitudinally misaligned in the hole and this may result in days oi' relay in trying to connect the fish with the fishing tool. However, the overhanging wash-over pipe '46 of the instant ing arrangement 12 tends to obviate such de1ays by tending to recenter the misaligned fish and with'th'e nipple 36s; that a coupling may be made between them. The tool 12 has many other ea vious features and advantages. since the "bypass grooves "2'9 and -3t and 33 permit flow-of wash water 'to the wash-over pipe even if the "fish is plugged wash fluid can continue to act to wash out the c'a'v'e-in about the stack fish to Tree it 'for withdrawal "from the hole.

Also, since valve surfaces 2863 or We can be movedw-to close oil flow through [grooves '29 '0'1' 30, the wash mud in such event can be forced down into the fish 'in-an effort 'to clean itsplugging-contents.

While 'in the specific embodiment shown, the nipple 36 is shown as a simple threaded part, lit may be modified to .provide a tapping thread or in other ways where conditions necessitatesu'dh modification. Many other variations instructural detail within the scope of the claims .are possible and are-contemplated. There is no intention, 'therefiore, of limitation to the exact details shown-and-described.

'What-is'claimed is:

1. A'retrie'ving arrangement for use with dr-ill pipe comprising a tubular sub attachable to a drill pipe, tubular means attached to the sub and divided into two compartments, a tubular rod movable reciprocally in the tubular means, oppositely acting ratchet teeth carried at spaced apart points in said tubular means, oppositely acting ratchet teeth carried by the tubular rod for engagement respectively with the first named ratchet teeth, coupling means carried by the tubular rod for coupling it to a fish, and passageways in the tubular rod permitting new of wash fluid through the sub and outwardly of said tubular rod notwithstanding a plugged condition of said fish.

2. A retrieving arrangement as described in claim 1 wherein the rod has a valve member formed integrally therewith, the tubular means has a valve-seat cavity formed integrally therewith, and said valve member and valve-seat cavity are brought into engagement when the rod has moved to one end of its path of travel whereby flow of wash fluid in said mentioned passageways is restrained.

3. A retrieving arrangement for use with drill pipe comprising a tubular sub attachable to a drill pipe end, a tubular member secured to said sub, a second tubular member secured to the first named tubular member, a tubular plug member secured to the second-named tubular member, a tubular rod slidable reciprocally relative to said two tubular members, said first named tubular member having a reduced internal diameter in a portion thereof in which an end of said tubular rod is slidably guided, the other end of said rod being slidably guided in said tubular plug member, oppositely acting sets of ratchet teeth at spaced apart points in said secondnamed tubular member, said tubular rod having an enlarged portion fitting slidably within the second-named tubular member and carrying oppositely directed oppositely acting sets of ratchet teeth each for engagement respectively with one of the first-named sets of oppositely acting ratchet teeth, and coupling means carried by said tubular rod member outwardly of said plug member for coupling to a fish, and said tubular rod having surface grooves defining passageways for flow of wash fluid downwardly through the tubular members and externally of said tubular rod notwithstanding a plugged condition of the fish.

4. A retrieving arrangement for use with drill pipe comprising a tubular sub attachable to a drill pipe, a tubular shell threadedly secured to said sub and having a bore in one portion of smaller internal diameter than that of the other portion of the shell, a second tubular shell threadedly secured to the first-named shell, a tubular plug having a bore of smaller internal diameter than that of said second shell, a tubular rod slidable reciprocally in said two bores and having an enlarged portion movable reciprocally in said second shell, oppositely acting sets of ratchet teeth at spaced apart points in said second shell, oppositely acting sets of ratchet teeth on said enlarged portion of said tubular rod each latter set for engagement respectively with one of said first named sets of ratchet teeth, coupling means carried by said tubular rod outwardly of said plug member for coupling to a fish, and a wash over pipe secured to said plug member, said tubular rod having grooves defining flow passageways through said bores t permit flow of wash fluid through the shells and to the wash over pipe notwithstanding a plugged condition of the fish.

5. The retrieving. arrangement of claim 4, in which said bores have valve cavities and in which said tubular rod has valve surfaces movable into respective ones. of the valve cavities to cut off flow of wash fluid through said grooves, thereby compelling the flow of said'wash fluid into the fish to wash out its plugging contents.

6. A retrieving arrangement/for use with drill pipe comprising a hollow member attachable to a drill pipe, an outer tubular member secured to said hollow member for movement vertically and rotationally therewith and having its lower end adapted to serve as a wash-over pipe, an inner tubular member positioned within said outer tubular member and movable axially with respect thereto, two sets of teeth spaced apart from each other within said outer tubular member and fixed'with respect to each other and said outer tubular member, a separate set of teeth carried by the inner tubular member for selective engagement respectively with said first mentioned sets of teeth, coupling means secured to the lower end of the inner tubular member for coupling it to a fish, and a passageway between said inner and outer tubular members permitting flow of wash fluid through the wash-over pipe and exteriorly of said inner tubular member notwithstanding a plugged condition of said fish.

'7. A retrieving arrangement as described in claim 6 wherein the inner tubular member has a valve member formed integrally therewith, the outer tubular member has a valve-seat cavity formed integrally therewith, and said valve member and valve-seat cavity are brought into engagement when the inner tubular member is at one limit of its path of travel whereby flow of wash fluid in said passageway is restrained.

8. A retrieving arrangement for use with drill pipe comprising a hollow member attachable to a drill pipe, an outer tubular member secured to said hollow member for movement vertically and rotationally therewith and having its lower end adapted to serve as a wash-over pipe, an inner tubular member positioned within said outer tubular member and movable axially with respect thereto, an opposed pair of teeth one of which is positioned within and fixed with respect to the outer tubular member and the other of which is fixed with respect to the inner tubular member, said teeth being engageable when the inner tubular member is at the upper limit of its axial path of movement with respect to the outer tubular member and thereby to transmit rotational motion between saaid tubular members, said tubular members being free to rotate independently of each other when said teeth are disengaged, coupling means secured to the lower end of the inner tubular member for coupling it to a fish, and a passageway between said inner and outer tubular members permitting flow of wash fluid through the wash-over pipe and exteriorly of said inner tubular member notwithstanding a plugged condition of said fish.

9 A retrieving arrangement as described in claim 8 wherein the inner tubular member has a valve member formed integrally therewith, the outer tubular member has a valve-seat cavity formed integrally therewith, and said valve member and valve-seat cavity are brought into engagement when the inner tubular member is at one limit of its path of travel whereby flow of wash fluid in said passageway is restrained.

10. A retrieving arrangement for use with drill pipe comprising a hollow member attachable to a drill pipe, an outer tubular member ecur d t 7 said hollow member for movement-vertically and rotationally therewith. and having. an open ended lower portion which serves as a wash-over pipe, an inner tubular member positioned within said outer-tubularmember and movable rotatably and axially with respect thereto, means positioned within said outer tubular member fixed with respect thereto, and further means carried by said inner tubular member and fixed with --respeot thereto, said first and seooncl mentioned means cooperating to impart rotation from the-outer to the inner tubular member when said innertubular member is at least at one end of its axial path ofmovement with respect to the outer tubular member, coupling means secured to the lower end of the inner tubular member for coupling it to a fish, and a passageway between said inner and outer tubular members permittingfiow of wash fluid through the wash-over pipe and exteriorly 8 ofsaid inner tubular member notwithstandings plugged condition of said fish.

11. A retrieving arrangement as described in claim 10 wherein the inner tubular member has a v. we member formed integrally therewith; the outer tubular member has a valve-seat cavity formed integrally therewith, and said valve member. and valve-seat cavity are brought into engagement when the inner tubular members is at one limit of its path of trave1 whereby flow of wash fluid in said passageway is restrained.

LEONARD E. S'IEWART. MARVIN J. WINTERS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,479,132 Gianella Jan. 1, 1924 2,190,442 Costello Feb. 13, 1940 

